On July 18, 2025, the Lab for Social and Human Capital Studies held a one-day capacity building training focused on academic research publishing for 100 female scholars from across Uzbekistan. The bootcamp was designed to equip participants with essential skills for navigating the publication process, including selecting suitable journals, identifying publishable research topics, and understanding the peer review system.

The training was led by distinguished researchers Dr. Karran Khurana and Dr. Zebo Kuldasheva, with opening remarks delivered by the Lab's founder, Dr. Raufhon Salahodjaev, who emphasized the Lab’s long-term commitment to supporting local women in academia.

“This Lab will continue to stand behind Uzbek women scholars by providing tools, mentorship, and access to global publishing platforms,” he stated.

The event was organized in close partnership with the University of Tashkent for Applied Sciences (UTAS). In his keynote speech, Dr. Elyor Saitov, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at UTAS, noted:

“This programme is a testament to UTAS’s unwavering commitment to developing a culture of cutting-edge research. By equipping our faculty and students with the latest tools and methodologies, we aim to enhance not only individual capabilities but also the overall research profile of our institution.”

The bootcamp included practical sessions on how to use submission platforms of leading academic publishers such as Springer, Wiley, Emerald, and Taylor & Francis. Impressively, over 10 participants successfully uploaded their scientific manuscripts for submission during the training. Participants also gained hands-on experience in structuring scientific papers and understanding the technical and editorial requirements of international peer-reviewed journals.

This initiative marks a key step in the Lab’s mission to empower women researchers and boost Central Asia’s academic presence in the global research community.